The Design Vision GTI is the 503-horsepower concept version of Volkswagen's Golf GTI hatchback. The concept car was revealed at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. / Volkswagen

Detroit Free Press Auto Critic

Volkswagen unveiled an outrageous 503-hp concept of its Golf GTI hatchback at the Los Angeles Auto Show today.

The Design Vision GTI demonstrates the band width of the seventh generation of the car that created the class of compact performance hatchbacks. But donít expect to see this monstrous super-Golf on the road soon, if ever. VW wants to stoke interest in the next generation of the production GTI, which is already on sale in Europe and should hit U.S. roads in 2014.

The concept ditches the GTIís turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive in favor of a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that drives all four wheels. The engine produces 413 pound-feet of torque.

The A-pillars feature cameras that can be directed either at the road or inside the car, enabling drivers to take selfies as well as fast laps.

VW projects a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds, nearly as quick as the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

The design features aggressively angled lines on the front bumper and body side that are mildly reminiscent of the side blades on the R8 sports car that the VW groupís Audi luxury brand makes.

At 167.4 inches long, 54.5 inches tall and 73.6 inches broad, the concept is shorter, lower and wider than the production model. A body-stiffening X-frame replaces the rear seats.